Russia warns of 'catastrophic consequences' if conflict erupts on Korean peninsula
news.sky.com Sep 26, 2017 3:22 PM
As tensions escalate further, Russia and China are warning there will be "no winners" if war breaks out on the Korean peninsula.
Graphic setup of Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump.
Image: Russia says it is attempting to find a political solution to the North Korea crisis
Russia has warned of "catastrophic consequences" if military conflict is allowed to break out on the Korean peninsula.

After the US dispatched bomber jets to South Korea over the weekend, Russia's foreign ministry said Washington's approach was a dead end.

The ministry's Mikhail Ulyanov said the country was working "behind the scenes" to find a political solution, but admitted the use of sanctions against North Korea is almost exhausted.

China echoed Russia's concerns, and said war on the peninsula would have "no winners".

USAF B-1B bombers have been sent to South Korea
Video: White House dismisses North Korea's claim that President Trump has declared war
On Monday, North Korea's foreign minister, Ri Yong Ho, said the isolated state had the right to "shoot down" US planes - even if they were not in the country's airspace.

It followed President Trump's claim that Mr Kim may not be around much longer - a statement the foreign minister said amounted to a declaration of war.

The Pentagon responded with its own threat, saying that if North Korea did not stop its provocative actions, it would make sure the "President is provided with options to deal with Pyongyang".

However, the White House said it was "absurd" to suggest the US had declared war.

"We have not declared war against North Korea and frankly the suggestion of that is absurd," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.